Fracture of mandible
ICD-10 S02.6 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of fracture of mandible.
A fracture of the mandible, or lower jaw, is a common injury that can occur due to various mechanisms, including trauma from falls, sports injuries, physical altercations, or vehicular accidents. The mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the face, and fractures can occur in different locations, including the body, angle, ramus, or condyle. Symptoms typically include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty in chewing or speaking. Diagnosis is primarily made through clinical examination and imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans to assess the fracture's location and severity. Management may involve conservative treatment with pain control and dietary modifications or surgical intervention for more complex fractures requiring fixation. Complications can include malocclusion, infection, and nonunion of the fracture. Accurate coding is essential for proper reimbursement and tracking of injury patterns.
Documentation should include a detailed account of the mechanism of injury, initial assessment findings, and any imaging results.
Trauma cases presenting with facial injuries, sports-related injuries, or assaults.
Ensure that all relevant injuries are documented, and consider the need for consultation with oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Operative reports must detail the surgical approach, fixation methods used, and any intraoperative findings.
Surgical repair of complex mandible fractures, including the use of plates and screws.
Document any complications encountered during surgery and the rationale for surgical intervention.
Used when surgical intervention is required for a mandible fracture.
Operative report detailing the procedure and findings.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery documentation must be thorough.
S02.6 refers specifically to fractures of the mandible, while S02.5 pertains to fractures of the maxilla. Accurate coding requires distinguishing between these two facial bones.
